be.

[Illustration: "Miss Harding ... smiled and looked innocent as could
be"]

What I am getting at, John Henry Smith, is this: We would not dare ask
Miss Harding to sit with us in such a lonely and secluded spot, and I
think we would have been more embarrassed than was Carter at so
unexpected an interruption. It simply goes to prove that--well, I don't
know just what it does prove.

Chilvers told me a year ago he had heard Carter was engaged to be
married to a very pretty and immensely wealthy girl. I did not think
much of it at the time, having only passing interest in whether Carter
married or remained single. The other day I asked Chilvers if he had
heard anything more about Carter's engagement, and he looked at me
rather oddly and said he had not. He said his wife might know something
about it, and advised me to ask her or Carter.

Suppose they were engaged, John Henry Smith? That would settle it, you
say. You quit too easily. If you desert me in this extremity I shall go
ahead on my own account. I love her; I must have her! Let Carter fall in
love with someone else!

For some malignant reason this man Carter has persistently stood between
me and the realisation of my cherished ambitions. He has won cup after
cup and medal after medal which would have fallen to me were it not for
his devilish combination of skill and luck. But he shall not thwart my
love! He shall not; I swear it; he shall not! Smile, John Henry Smith,
you do not love her as I do.

"Why should she fall in love with me, or wish to marry me? What have I
done in the world, or what do I expect to do which will compel that
admiration and respect which is the basis of true love?"

Those are harsh questions, John Henry Smith. I tell you I love her; is
not that sufficient? She is not the woman to weigh a man in the same
scales with his money, his miles of railroad track, and such material
assets. I would love her if her father were still a section boss.

And I _am_ going to do something in this world. I propose to show
you, John Henry Smith, that I can do something beside play golf. Am I
not doing something now? Am I not risking practically every dollar I have
in the world on my business judgment? Call it gambling if you will; if so,
it is big gambling. The man who wins must take chances. Mr. Harding did
not become a railway magnate by remaining a section boss. He is a
commanding figure in Wall Street. I shall be that and more.

Laugh if you w